What is my doll worth?

Generally, advanced collectors are pretty savvy on current pricing. I can speak for most when I say that we use eBay as the current barometer of going market prices.

We used to use pricing found at doll and toy shows, as well as average prices found in antique and collectible trade magazines, where sellers set the prices. But with a majority of sellers placing their items on on-line auction sites, it has become imperative that these realized prices represent the national average of acceptable price. Why? This is due to the vast number of Crissy family auctions that are running at once on the auction site. Surely, they represent at least 95% of available dolls, clothing items and accessories being sold at that current time. Therefore, the sheer volume of items will dictate the current price. Now, buyers set the prices.

Off-line sellers would need to form their price around this 95% availability in order to compete.

The following is a general price guide for 2012 (based on 2011 availability and pricing). Please remember that these dolls are fairly common and easy to find. None should be considered rare.

These price ranges are for unaltered dolls and do not include customs, rerooted dolls, or repaints.

Add $10-25, and sometimes more, to each price if the doll is the black version, condition well-considered. The condition of the doll is paramout when requesting the higher price. Also, the black Tressy doll is probably on the highest end of the pricing spectrum as she enjoyed very limited production. This doll can go for pretty high figures, but the bottom line is "How much is the collector willing to spend?"

P= poor (will exhibit many of the following conditions), doll is dirty, could have odors, dinged, missing digits, stained, make-up issues, perhaps hair is trimmed/cut/matted (most Crissy family dolls in this condition are not sellable, use as parts donor)

F= fair, doll has all digits, limbs, fairly clean with no stains, hair is present, no cuts, but doll is definitely played with and can be exhibited in the condition of the hair, may perhaps need make-up touch-up

G= good, doll as above, extremely lightly played with, hair is smooth, no tangles, no haircut, no odors, make-up good, with no cheek rubs

E= excellent, doll can be considered a dresser doll, probably removed from box, but not played with, hair silky/shiny, exquisite make-up, no flaws whatsoever

M= mint, in box, with *ALL* enclosures, never touched by a child, in tissue or baggie, head is factory wrapped

Q&A

Q: Why are some dolls listed in the table clearly more than others, though you state that these dolls are common?

A: This is because there were less of them made and the demand is still high with both new and advanced collectors. This is especially true of the Sears issue dolls and of Tara, a black only doll.

Q: Iíve seen some dolls that you priced above go for way more than you listed here. How do you know that you are correct?

A: I have been averaging final bids for several months, taking an average of final bids after performing a search at the end of each month. I also bookmark less common dolls to make note of their final bid. True, you might find a higher realized bid on several occasions. Take into consideration how the newer collector bids. They usually, in their excitement of finding Crissy & Velvet again, bid with great abandon!

Q: Iíve been selling on eBay for awhile. Iím not getting the bids that you mention above. I think what I would consider MIB should go higher, but people just arenít biting. Why?

A: There might have been many similar examples posted as the same time as yours, giving the buyer many choices from which to shop. Or your timing may have been less than perfect. Itís never a good time to sell around major holidays. Posting after tax season seems to reap higher yields so you might try that.

Q: Hi Beth, here's a question that you've not addressed, and I'd value your opinion. When do you think is a good time for me to schedule my auctions to end?

A: Wow, there's a good question, but I think the answer is relatively simple. In the United States, Sunday after church is over is my best answer. I base that solely on my own opinion and when I personally have had the best results. I notice that I have more last minute bidders on Sunday. I think that is probably for two reasons: (1) It's a couple days after payday and people usually have a little money, and (2) more are home on Sunday than on Saturday. Don't you do your errands on Saturday and spend Sunday at home? I do! Be sure to build in time-zone differences if you choose to end your auctions on Sunday. For instance, when it's noon on the east coast, it's still 9 a.m on the west coast and church is usually just starting! Good luck!

Please remember that these prices are merely a starting guideline based solely on past sales and that due to many extenuating circumstances, prices that one actually pays and final prices realized on on-line auctions can vary greatly.